‘Work rate, desire and pride’

SIX points in five days remains the focus for Athletic manager Paul Dickov, who released some of the pent-up pressure by claiming a first victory in six npower League One games at Hartlepool.

After Jose Baxter’s double helped give Dickov a 2-1 win last night, the goal now is to back up a performance high on work-rate with one that will see off fellow strugglers Shrewsbury at Boundary Park on Saturday.

“I am one who comes out and says when we didn’t get the luck we deserved,” said the manager, who was a relieved man as Baxter slotted home a 90th-minute winner, off a rebound of his own saved penalty kick.

“Whether we got the luck we deserved, I don’t know.

“But the work rate and attitude of the players was excellent. It was chalk and cheese from Saturday (in the 4-1 loss at Bournemouth).

“We have to keep our standards up. I haven’t spoken to any of the players since Saturday — so I might not speak to them again until this Saturday!

“There is a sense of relief, but we know we have to back it up now.

“It is no good coming here, digging in and getting three points and then not doing so. It has to be our main aim.

“I know we can play a lot better than we did here. It got a bit hairy towards the end, but the main thing was getting three points.

“I wrote on the board (in the changing room) before we went out — and I shouldn’t have to write it up — ‘work rate, desire and pride’.

“I said if we got those three things, we would win the game. And we did.

“The last three games have really hurt. We draw a line under this now and go again.

“I said before the game we wanted six points from the next two and we have to move on.”

Dickov will again be forced into making changes for the visit of the Shrews.

Though Jonathan Grounds is back from suspension, Baxter and Cristian Montano both picked up fifth bookings of the season last night for kicking the ball away.

That gives opportunities to the likes of Youssouf Mchangama and Matt Smith, both of whom impressed Dickov in cameo roles from the substitutes’ bench against 10-man Hartlepool at Victoria Park.

“Youssouf came on and did well,” Dickov added.

“He started off on the left, went into a middle three and finished off playing wide right, so he showed his versatility.

“Young Chris Sutherland did well and I thought Matt Smith was magnificent when he came on.

“We put big Matt up front at 1-1 because coming up here, against 10 men, you don’t want to settle for a point. You want all three.

“I think we might end up looking back at this and thinking what a good result it is.

“They have got players coming back from injury and they will be a decent team.”

Robbie Simpson missed last night’s game with a groin strain.